Torres del Paine Circuit (Intense 8 Day Guided Trek)

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Challenge yourself to hike the Torres del Paine Full Circuit. This 8 day hike, for experienced hikers, will take you on trails off the beaten path to the incredible and remote Oggioni Pass. The whole time you’ll be in good hands with an expert guide leading the way.

Torres del Paine Off the Beaten Path Circuit

Hike the trails of the famous Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. This intense 8 day guided trek is for intermediate hikers. Get away from the crowds and enjoy peaceful time in nature. Plus, having an experienced guide will ensure that your group stays safe and secure while on the trail.

Traveling solo? This tour requires a minimum of 2 people, if you are traveling solo, please email us at info@keteka.com and we will see if there is a group departing on your desired date.

Itinerary

Day 1: Enter Torres del Paine’s Silence Valley
After an early breakfast, you and your guide will leave Puerto Natales and head towards Torres del Paine National Park, about a two hour drive away. After arriving in the park at Laguna Amarga, you will begin to casually walk up Almirante Nieto, a mountain that takes you to an incredible view of Lake Nordenskjold and the Silence Valley.

After passing Refugio Chileno you will hike one hour through a dense Lenga forest. After leaving the forest, you will approach a moraine and begin the climb to see the amazing granite peaks known as the Torres. You will leave your things at the Campamento Las Torres and continue to hike about 1 hour up a steep moraine to finally see the icon of Torres del Paine — the Torres themselves!

After returning to your Campamento Las Torres you will hike to a climbers camp called Camp Japones. The Camp Japones is the original camp where the climbing pioneers stopped to get away from the weather and prepare the hike to the top of the Torres. You will settle into this camp for dinner and prepare for another big day.

Day 2: Cross the Remote Oggioni Pass
Today you’ll be hiking the Oggioni Pass. Very few visitors take this hike as it is a bit off trail. The trail is only marked by small stone towers left behind by previous hikers. You will begin by following the trail to the back side of Las Torres and hike towards a waterfall.

The group will pass over the waterfall on a natural stone bridge and then hike over two glacier moraines. Finally, you will start climbing uphill. With a good map, you will be able to see Oggioni Mountain on the backside of Silence Valley. After making it over the pass, you will walk through a thick forest and from a distance you will be able to see Refugio & Camping Dickson. Today is a long day and you will be happy to arrive after such an exciting and challenging hike!

Day 3: Rest Day Explore Torres del Paine
Today can be used as a rest day. You can use the day to explore the surrounding scenic area of Refugio Dickson and go on an easy day hike. Spend some time getting to know your guide and relaxing after the challenging hike from yesterday.

This day of resting is also in case the previous day’s hike crossing pass is not possible. It will be reserved for a second attempt to cross Paso Oggioni.

Day 4: Hike from Dickson to Los Perros
After breakfast you will begin hiking. Today the trek is approximately four hours long and it will take you through one of the oldest forests in the park. The trail will lead you past Lengas and Coigues (both of which grew shortly after the glaciers receded). Finally, you will reach a moraine at the foot of Glacier Los Perros. Here you will set up camp and rest for the second Paso of your trip.

Day 5: Hiking Across the John Gardner Pass
In the morning, you will start climbing a slow but steady hill for approximately 200 meters. The trail is very moist with beautiful trees covering this portion of the trail. After an hour and fifteen minutes, you will reach the end of the forest and begin trekking up rockslides towards the John Gardner Pass.

You will be amazing by the immense mountains surrounding the trail. The trail gains evelation quite quickly and eventually you’ll be able to view Glaciar Amistad, Cerro Blanco
Sur, Punta Puma and – finally – the John Gardner Pass.

From here, you will begin climbing until you reach 1,200 meters. You will have an astonishing view of Glacier Grey and Patagonia’s Southern Ice Field. After catching this breath-taking view, you will begin hiking downhill for about two hours until you reach Campamento Paso for a short rest. From here you will continue hiking for four more hours along an undulating trail with views of Glacier Grey, Lake Grey, and Ferrier Hill.

Before reaching Campamento Grey you will cross several of the parks famous suspension bridges, ultimately bringing you to some close-up views of Glacier Grey. Once you reach Grey you will have time to shower and rest before enjoying a nice hot meal in the Refugio.

Day 6: Hike from Galcier Grey to Lake Pehoe
After a restful night and an energizing breakfast you will be ready for the day. If you’re adventurous, you can add on a trek on the Grey Glacier with crampons in the morning. Or, you can head to the glacial lake to go on kayaking excursion (not included).

Today you will take is slow with an easy four-hour hike along Lake Grey. Most days this section of the park is very windy due to the openness provided by Lake Grey, Glacier Grey, and the Southern Ice Field. In the afternoon you will arrive to Camping Paine Grande on the shore of the beautiful Lake Pehoe.

Day 7: Explore the French Valley
This spectacular French Vally is one of the highlights of Torres del Paine. Today, you will begin with a leisurely hike in the energizing mountain air to the entrance of the French Valley.

As you walk along the border of Lake Skottsberg, you will admire the tremendous peaks towering in front of you – Los Cuernos! After about 2.5 hours, you will arrive to Campamento Italiano where you can rest for a bit before continuing your journey. As you ascend into the valley, the views in every direction — of Lake Nordenskjold, Los Cuernos, and the French Glacier — are absolutely stunning. In the back of the valley you can see various peaks.

After soaking up the view, you will hike back down to Campamento Italiano to continue alongside rolling hills as you follow the coastline of Lake Nordenskjold. You will continue on for another two hours until you reach your camp, located on the lake. After a relaxing afternoon and a filling dinner, you will go to sleep for a deserving night’s rest.

Day 8: Last day in Torres del Paine National Park
Today, you will leave the monstrous Cuernos and begin hiking back to entrance of the park. The walk is about four hours in duration and you will arrive at Las Torres in time to take a shuttle back to Laguna Amarga. From there you will take another bus all the way back to Puerto Natales where you will say goodbye to your guide. You will arrive back to Puerto Natales in the evening – just in time for a warm dinner.

What’s Not Included

Need to ask some questions before you book or want to customize the itinerary? No problem! Just email us at info@keteka.com and a Torres del Paine travel expert will get right back to you!

Optional Add Ons

Ice hike on Glacier Grey – 110.000 CLP per person

Kayak excursion on Lago Grey – 75.000 CLP per person

Bus between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales – 10.000 CLP per person

Bus between El Calafate and Puerto Natales – 22.000 CLP per person

Lodging in Puerto Natales

B&B – 30.000 CLP per person

Boutique Hotel for 50.000 CLP extra per person

Luxury Hotel for 70.000 CLP extra per person

Private transfers to and from the park are also available on request

Important Notes

Please note that in order to reserve this tour, we need to pay the operator immediately, so all bookings are final. If you have any questions before booking or want to confirm a certain date, please email us at info@keteka.com.

The Oggioni Pass & Itinerary Changes
The weather in Torres del Paine is very unpredictable – especially for the Oggioni Pass. In the chance that after two days the group is unable to make the Oggioni Pass, completing the backside of the circuit will not be possible and the itinerary will be picked up at Grey.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule agreed upon, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions.

Booking & Cancellation
Due to the popularity of Patagonia, we recommend booking your trip 4 months in advance during the peak travel months (Dec-Feb). If you want to travel in November or March we recommend booking travel 2 months in advance.

Please note that 30% of this trip is non-refundable after booking. This is because we need to secure camping reservations in your name as soon as your booking is confirmed. Unfortunately, the Torres del Paine Park Administration does not offer refunds.

Upon arrival to Patagonia
Depending on what time your plane arrives, you will have the entire day or just a few hours to explore or rest-up in the small town of Puerto Natales. Your guide will meet you at your hotel shortly after dinner to discuss trip details, answer questions, and make sure that you have all the appropriate gear for the next few days.

Patagonian Weather
Most of the time, there is no way to know what to expect. What you need to know is that it is fast changing and one can witness the wind, sun, rain and snow all in a matter of hours while in Patagonian wilderness.

What to Pack
During the Torres del Paine W Trek, you need to have a backpack (renting a backpack is possible) with just enough room to carry your clothes, toiletries, and sleeping bag (during the Torres del Paine W Trek, renting a sleeping bag is also possible). Shared equipment like tents, stoves, pots, and food will be brought and transferred by the tour operator staff.

Personal equipment and clothing should be chosen to allow comfort while hiking. Select clothes to keep you dry in the rain, protected from the wind, and cool enough for warmer moments. It is essential that you are prepared to experience all four seasons in one day. Scroll down to see a full packing list!

Tour Insurance
It is very important that every visitor has international insurance against accidents. Make sure you have arranged for this insurance before paying for the trip. It is worth considering that some aspects of nature are unpredictable and that we must be prepared for any inconvenient circumstances. We recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance

Tour Meals
Three meals a day during your program are included (excluding breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last evening). We do not include drinks while in cities or snacks during the day. Prior to departure we will ask for dietary preferences and plan the meals according to the group. While in the park, your guide and the porter(s) will prepare your meals.

Nicolás

Did you ever wonder how would have been to be born in one of the wilder places on earth? Nicolás, a professional Guide in the Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia can tell you about it. He was born in Chilean Patagonia during the 80’s and he has lived here all his life.

Few are the changes that this land has suffered over the course of Nicolás life, despite it being true that more visitors have arrived over the last 10 years.

Nicolás thinks that’s good, if the development of the area is sustainable. And he contributes to make it sustainable everyday. His knowledge and passion for this land and its inhabitants has brought him to become a certified Guide spreading his culture and its natural gems among travelers from all over the world. He speaks Spanish and English.

Nicolás loves rock climbing and since he was a teenager has explored the landscapes of Patagonia from its sheer rock walls, hoping one day to be able to show them to visitors.

*Please note that this tour may be guided by another local guide, always providing a genuine approach to the local culture.

Rated 5 out of 5

Fergus Macpherson – February 27, 2007:

I trekked the complete Torres del Paine circuit with a group of friends in January 2007 led by David. It was a truly unbelievable experience and one I would recommend to anyone. The Torres del Paine National Park feels truly unspoilt and for the entire trek we saw no form of motorised transport not even planes in the sky! The scenery is breathtaking and different every day. We trekked through forests, beside glaciers, over moraine fields and through shrub land full of calafate bushes. We camped in designated campsites each night where you could (usually) get a welcome beer!
There is no doubt that the thing that really made the trek was David´s leadership. He knows the park inside out and was full of fascinating information. He was always ready to point out interesting local plants and animals and explain the geological processes that produced the unique geography of the region. In addition he was fully attentive to our whole group despite the fact that we were a large group with a considerable variation in fitness and ability levels. So despite some interesting weather conditions we always felt we were in very good hands.
Most of all he is simply an extremely nice guy and we struck up a friendship during the trek which we have maintained over the many thousand miles between Patagonia and Scotland.

Rated 5 out of 5

Richard Beebe – March 10, 2009:

I hiked the Paine circuit with David in March 2009. As things turned out, that was a really fortunate decision on my part. David absolutely knows the territory and is knowledgeable and capable in the craft of guiding. He introduced me to the flora and fauna of the area, much of which was totally unfamiliar, and was a very pleasant companion on the trail. Also, when special arrangements needed to be made in the course of the hike, he handled them very efficiently. His 11-day Paine Circuit trip hits all the high spots, offers flexibility in handling the most difficult stretch of the trip (between Camp Perros and the Gray refugio), and also features a don’t-miss-it half-day ice hike on the Gray Glacier.
Those considering a “W” trip should really take a few extra days and do the entire Paine circuit. The circuit is so much more than the peaks you see from the front side — it’s the forests and glaciers and Montana-like valleys and the relatively uncrowded trails of the back side. Plus, the view of the Gray Glacier from John Gardner Pass is truly special.
David also offers planning and logistics services for those who don’t necessarily want to do a pre-scheduled trip but who need help putting the pieces together from a distance to create their own custom self-guided trip. I think this would be an extremely valuable service for self-directed adventurers, especially those looking at a Paine Circuit hike or other hike within the Torres del Paine park, given the relatively confusing and incomplete nature of the public information sources which have to do with lodging in the park. Drawing on David’s knowledge and connections, I’m sure you’d end up profiting from the service and saving a lot of hassles in the process. Again, thanks for a wonderful hike.
Rick

Rated 5 out of 5

Kerstin Seibert – February 20, 2010:

(Translated from German)
… a must for all hikers and nature lovers! I decided to take part in the Circuito because of the sporting challenge and, on the other hand, not only to check out Torres, Cuernos and Gray tourist attractions, but also to explore the remote part of the park. What is more suitable for this than a trekking organizer who attaches importance to small groups and individual care? On a recommendation from a friend I contacted David and learned from the beginning by email his willingness to help. During the trek, David took care not only of the organization, but also enriched my trip with his incredible knowledge of the flora and fauna, history, politics, culture … Chile in general and Patagonia in particular. In addition, I was lucky enough to have the whole 10 days of trekking nice weather – all in all a great experience I will remember for a long time.

Rated 5 out of 5

Tom Boardman – March 4, 2013:

Thank you so much for the great arrangements in Patagonia. I have been on a lot of hikes all over the world and the arrangements here were among the very best. The guide, Nico, was really great. He was knowledgeable, agreeable, and sensitive to our limits. It was also evident that he is extremely proud of the work he is doing and of the landscape of Patagonia.
He gave us a great experience. The food was good, always fresh and welcome at the end of the day. Outside of the hike itself the arrangements were also very nice. We really liked the lodgings you selected for us. We could not have asked for a better experience. Even the weather conspired to give us a perfect hike.
Thank you very much.
Tom

What Happens After I Book?

After you book your experience, you will receive a confirmation email from us confirming that your payment went through. You will then be connected directly to the tour operator, in case you have any further questions. We are also happy to answer any questions about the tour, or travel in general in your country of destination.

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